Top.



A. E. GIBBS.

7 APPLIOATION FILED DEO.14, 1911.

1,021,926", Patented A n z, 1912.

citizen of the United States, residing UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR E. GIBBS, OF CANTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GIBBS MANUFACTURING 7 COMPANY, OF CANTON, onto, A CORPORATION or OHIO.

Tor.

. Specification. ofLetters Patent.

Patented Apr.2,1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR E. Gnsns, i

a Canton, in the-county of Starkand State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tops, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to spinning tops having an oblate spheroid or disk-like body with an axial spinning peg and rotatable on a flat sustaining surface; and the object of the improvement is to combine therewith.

an auxiliary wheel having an axial stem on one side in such a manner that the auxiliary wheel will continuously travel around and hug the periphery of the top body while the same is spinning, with the effect of increasing the attractiveness of the top and enhancing its pleasure-giving qualities.

A preferred embodiment of the invention, thus set forth in generalterms, is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a top in spinning position, with the spinning head detached, and showing the auxiliary wheel in operative conjunction therewith; Fig. 2, a detached perspective view of the auxiliary wheel and its stem; Fig. 3, a plan view of the top and auxiliary wheel with part of the top body broken away to show the stem of the wheel; and Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views showing modifications of or additions to the wheel.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

The body 1 of the top may be of any well-known and usual form and construction, and, as shown, is in the form of an oblate spheroid so flattened as to constitute a thick disk with a rounded periphery. The top is provided with the usual axial spinning peg 2 on which it may be rotated 6 which is'suitably connect-ed or secured at one end to the center of the disk, as by means of the tack 7 having its shank driven through the cent-er of the disk into the end of the stem.

The wheel stem is so prop0rtioned as to length and thickness that it may be inserted under the body of the top in its spinning position to bring the inner side of the wheel against the periphery of the topbody with the free end of the stem resting on the sustainin surface without any contact; in which re ation of the parts the stem of the wheel is located freely below the body of the top and preferably terminates short of the spinning peg thereof.

In use, the body of the top is first spun or placed in rotation on the sustaining surface and the spinning head is removed, after which the stem of the auxiliary wheel is inserted under the body of the top until the inner side of the wheel comes in contact with the-periphery of the top-body, whereupon the frictional contact of the side of the wheel against the periphery of the body causes the wheel to travel in the same direction by turning or rolling upon the sustaining surface; in which movement the contact or rolling of the free end of the stem on the same surface tends to cause the wheel to turn inward toward the axis of the top, thereby bringing and holding the wheel in close contact with the periphery of the body as it rolls around therewith. Furthermore, the rolling of the wheel with the periphery of the top, and the consequent dragging of the free end of the wheel stem upon the sustaining surface, causes said free end to lag slightly behind a true radial line between the center of the wheel disk and the axisof the top, as shown in Fig. 3, whichslight deflection from the true radial line has a further tendency to cause the wheel to turn inward in its rotation and thereby to more positively impinge the periphery of the top body. By these means the auxiliary wheel is caused to roll around with the periphery of the top-body, at the sametime closely hugging the same as long as the top continues to spin; and it is evident that the addition of the rolling wheel traveling around with the spinning top, and the pecu- V liar arrangement of the parts which causes the wheel to hug closely to the periphery of the top without any positive connection therewith, excites great interest as well as pleasure in the operation of the toy.

It will be understood that an axial shank as 8 may be provided on the outer side of the wheel to which may be connected or secured an additional disk as 9, or the like, as shown in Fig. 4; or that on such shank as 8* may be swiveled or secured a pennant as 10, or the like as shown in Fig. 5; in either case to enhance the interest and pleasure to be derived from the operation of the toy.

I claim:

In combination, a top adapted to spin on a sustaining surface, and a wheel resting on the surface with its side impinging the periphery of the top, there being an axial stem on the wheel with its free end resting on the surface under the top, whereby the wheel is caused to hug and roll around with the periphery of the top.

ARTHUR E. GIBBS. Witnesses:

F. W. PREYER, A. J. GIBBs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

